BLACKPINK Rosé Cropped From Elle UK Paris Fashion Week Photos: Magazine Apologizes After Racism Backlash
British fashion publication Elle UK has apologized after facing intense criticism for cropping BLACKPINK's Rosé out of photos from Saint Laurent's Paris Fashion Week show.
The magazine issued a statement on October 3 via Instagram Stories: "We sincerely apologize for a recent post from Paris Fashion Week in which Rosé of BLACKPINK was cropped out of a group photo for size. We did not mean to offend anyone."
What Happened
Elle UK posted images from Saint Laurent's Spring/Summer 2026 show on September 29, featuring Hailey Bieber, Zoë Kravitz, and Charli XCX seated together in the front row. But Rosé, who sat on the far right as a Saint Laurent global ambassador, was missing from their version of the photo.
Fans worldwide immediately called out the exclusion, with many labeling it racist. Other publications had posted the complete image showing all four celebrities together.
The controversy grew when Charli XCX shared a photo where Rosé appeared obscured in shadow, and Hailey Bieber reshared the cropped image. Videos from the event also circulated showing Charli XCX appearing to turn away from Rosé during conversations with Bieber and Kravitz.
Magazine's Response Failed to Satisfy Critics
Before apologizing, Elle UK deleted the original post and uploaded solo photos of Rosé, calling her look "the most standout" of the show. But critics saw this as damage control rather than a genuine response.
The apology itself drew criticism for being posted to Instagram Stories-which disappear after 24 hours-rather than as a permanent statement. Comments on Elle UK's posts remained sharply critical, demanding better accountability.
Broader Context
The incident reignited ongoing discussions about how Asian celebrities are treated by Western media and fashion coverage. Many questioned why Rosé, as a Saint Laurent ambassador, would be excluded while Western celebrities were prominently featured.
The timing was particularly notable given Rosé's recent achievements. She won Song of the Year at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards in September for her collaboration "APT." with Bruno Mars, becoming the first K-pop artist to win the category.
Neither Charli XCX nor Hailey Bieber has commented on the controversy.
